Liberated Syrian City Wary of Turkish Invasion

As reported by RT today, a city once controlled by the Islamic State in Syria, is now concerned about a Turkish invasion. The city of Manbij was liberated by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish militia, from the oppressive Islamic State in August last year. The Islamic State previously held the city since 2014. The fierce fighting left much of the city destroyed.

Northwest of Manbij lies the city of Azaz which is controlled by Turkish backed rebels from the Free Syrian Army (FSA). Turkey views Kurdish militias as terrorists which has locals concerned that new fighting may break out between Turkish troops and Kurdish SDF. Turkey fears that a strong Kurdish presence my embolden Kurds to create a “Greater Kurdistan”. The Syrian Kurds deny there is any such intention.